Resetting device for operation indicators



P 1929. L. N. CRICHTON 1,726,653

RESETTING DEVICE FOR OPERATION INDICATOR S Filed July 1, 1924 WITNESSES: M INVENTOR @K. .2@W1M g Les/ie/V one/m ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 3, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LESLIE N. CRICHTON, OF WILKINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO WESTING- HOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- Vania,

RESETTING DEVICE FOR OPERATION INDICATORS.

Application filed July 1, 1924. Serial No. 723,443.

My invention relates to electrical protective devices and particularly to resetting devices for operation indicators.

One object of my invention is to provide an operation indicator for electrical devices that shall be readily controlled from the exterior of the device.

Another object of my invention is to provide an operation indicator for electrical devices that shall be applicable to electrical devices now in service without changing the structure thereof.

It is also an object of my invention to provide a resetting device for operation indicators for various relays that shall be adaptable to relays having differently positioned cover studs.

A further object of my invention is to provide an operation indicator with resetting means, for relays of the induction type that are provided with glass covers in order that they may be easily assembled, whereby the indicator may be reset from the outside of the cover thereby obviating the necessity of removing the same.

In the patent to Harvey P. Sleeper, No. 1,636 1,326 issued March 27, 1928, and. which is assigned to the VVestinghous-e Electric & Manufacturing Company, there is shown and described an operation indicator for electrical devices, such as relays, that is characterized by utilizing the ordinary clamping nuts for the dual purpose of securing the covers of such devices in place and for permitting the resetting of the operation indicator without the necessity of removing the clamp nut from the electrical device.

The present invention contemplates the use of the clamp nut and operation indicator, but having a different mechanical connection between the two elements. I provide a flexible element that is attached to the operation indicator and extends outwardly through the clamping nut in such manner that it may be pulled or moved longitudinally, thereby resetting the operation indicator.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan View, partially in elevation and partially in section, of an electrical device equipped with my operation indicator.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of an electrical protective device embodying my invention. a

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of an operation indicator embodying my invention.

My invention comprises, in general, an electrical protective device 1, such as a relay, in which is mounted an operation indicator 2 that is controlled by the electrical protective device 1 in any suitable manner, a clamping bolt 3, a clamping nut for securing the casing 5 of the electrical device 1 in place, and a flexible member 6 extending through the clamping nut 4 for resetting'the operation indicator 2.

The electrical protective device 1 may be of any suitable type, although the present invention is particularly applicable to induction relays. Since the electrical protective device per se does not constitute a part of the present invention, except in so far as it is necessary to complete the combination of parts hereinafter described, a detailed description thereof is believed to be unnecessary. The electrical protective device comprises a casing 5 that is usually of glass,'metal, or metal having a glass window, that is held in place by the bolt 3 and the clamping nut 1. The clamping nut 4: is provided with an aperture 7 extending longitudinally thereof for the reception of the flexible member 6 and through which it is freely movable longitudinally.

The operation indicator 2 comprises an electromagnet 8 that is actuated upon the completion of any desired operation by the electrical protective device 1. The operation indicator 2 is supported on a plate 9 that is attached to a fixed part of the protective device 1. The operation indicator 2 comprises a face plate 11 that is provided with an aperture 12 before which a pivoted target 13 is actuated by the electromagnet 8. The target 13 is provided with a tail piece 1 1.

Referring to Fig. 3, a resilient member 15 is fixedly mounted below plate 9 and is provided at its free end with a loop 16. The free end of the resilient member 15 extends longitudinally of the operation indicator 2 and into the path of the tail piece 14:.

Referring to Fig. 1, the flexible member 6 extends from the loop 16 through the aperture 7 of the clamping nut 4 externally of the electrical protective device 1.

Upon the occurrence of the desired operation in the protective device 1, the electromagnet 8 is energized, whereupon the target 13 is drawn before the aperture 12 thereby giving a visual signal of the operation of the electrical protective device. It is to be understood that the target 13 is frequently painted a vivid color in order to give a marked contrast to the background of the electromagnet 8 and the frame 11. Movement of the target 13 before the aperture 12 causes the tail piece 14 to turn into the position shown in Fig. 8 in close proximity to the resilient member 15.

In order to reset the indicator, the operator grasps the free end of the flexible member 6 and exerts a pull thereon which is transmitted to the looped end 16 of the resilient member 15. The free end of the resilient member 15 is thereupon moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, and into engagement with the tail piece 14 to move the latter to the right and thereby turn the target 13 from before the aperture 12 and conceal it behind the frame 11. The operator then releases the flexible member 6 and the resilient member 15 returns to its normal position drawing the extended portion of the flexible member 6 into the aperture 7 of the clamping nut 4. I

It will thus be seen that I have provided a simple mechanism for resetting operation indicators for electrical devices without the necessity of removing the casings thereof, and without the necessity for drilling extra openings in such casings for the reason that I make use of the openings necessary for the securing bolts customarily employed.

I do not wish to be restricted to the specific circuit connections or. arrangement of parts herein set forth, as various modifications thereof may be efi'ected without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed as are indicated in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an electrical device, the combination with a cover member provided with an aperture and a bolt extending therethrough for securing the cover member to the device, of an operation indicator having resetting means therefor disposed within the cover member and visible therethrough, clamping means mounted on said bolt in engagement with the cover member and provided with an aperture, and a flexible member extending through both apertures and movable longitudinally thereof for operating the resetting means.

2. In an electrical instrument, the combination with a cover provided with an aperture and a bolt extending therethrough for securing said cover in operative position, of an eleetro-responsive device having resetting means therefor adapted to be enclosed by said cover when the latter is in operative position, clamping means on said bolt for engaging said cover and provided with an aperture, and a flexible member extending through both of said apertures and movable longitudinally of said bolt for operating said resetting means.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 19th day of June, 19%.

LESLIE N. CRICHTON. 

